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What? 6 Signs You Need a Hearing Test

Hearing loss might cause you to miss out on more than you realize. "When you can't hear or respond to the sounds around you, when you don't understand the conversation, when you can't participate in social activities and interactions, you can become reclusive and less motivated to participate in the world around you," said Bettie Borton, AuD, president of the American Academy of Audiology and practice director and clinical audiologist at the Doctors Hearing Clinic in Montgomery, Ala.

Hearing loss is spanning the generations, too. It's the third most prevalent yet treatable condition among seniors, behind arthritis and hypertension, but hearing loss in young adults is also a big concern.

"Researchers have noted significant increase in hearing problems for children, and today, noise exposure has replaced aging as the number one cause of hearing loss in this country," said Dr. Borton. About 36 million Americans have hearing loss and, although 95 percent of them could be helped by a hearing aid, only 23 percent use them. Here are signs that you could benefit from a hearing test to check the status of this vital sense.

"What Did You Say?"

One of the biggest warning signs that you may have hearing loss is frequently asking people to repeat themselves. It may sound as though others are always mumbling or conversations are muffled. The high-pitched voices of women and children may be especially difficult to hear. And while you'll certainly be affected if you can't hear what those around you are saying, your loved ones may suffer too. "Your spouse, children, and other members of your family are missing out on a relationship with you," said Borton.

Can't Hear in Noisy Places

Hearing loss can make it hard to hear in places with lots of background noise, such as in planes or cars, at a party, in a restaurant, and especially when there are a lot of people talking. "When you can hear and understand other people, you are more likely to participate in various activities and family events and generally remain more active," Borton said. The inability to participate socially in conversations because you can't hear well can cause mental consequences. "We now have increasing evidence that there is a strong correlation between unaddressed or under-addressed hearing loss and cognitive decline," she said.

Cranking Up the Volume

If you're frequently turning up the volume to the point that others complain about how loud it is, the problem may not be with your TV or radio. This is a common warning sign of hearing loss and an indicator that you should get your hearing checked. Teens may crank up the sound on their iPods or other devices simply because they like blasting music, but this can cause a loss in hearing in young adults that they should be warned about.

Ringing in Your Ears

Tinnitus, or a ringing sound in your ears, particularly after exposure to very loud noises, can be a warning sign of hearing loss. If the ringing doesn't go away, consider getting a hearing test. A 2013 Brazilian study of more than 500 seniors with hearing loss found that nearly 43 percent also experienced tinnitus. It's can be a warning sign in kids too: If your child complains of ringing in the ears, pain in the ears, or difficulty hearing, take him or her for a hearing test.

Missing Out on Everyday Sounds

You might not even be aware of one of the biggest hearing loss red flags: Missing out on everyday sounds. When was the last time you heard the birds tweeting outside your window? Do you always sleep through your alarm or miss the ding of a text on your cell phone? Experiencing hearing loss can cause you to miss out on many of these everyday sounds.

Trouble Talking on the Phone

Hearing loss may also make it difficult for you to hear well when talking on the phone, particularly on a cell phone or in a noisy area where there's lots of background noise. Instead of avoiding calls with loved ones or having trouble talking on the phone with important business contacts, get a hearing test and take steps to reclaim your hearing. "Sometimes folks are not aware of the potential consequences of an untreated hearing impairment," Borton said. Among other things, she noted, "research has consistently shown that those with hearing loss suffer from embarrassment, isolation, and depression."

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